Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer

Sean Payton said it's a "great question" when asked how long it will take teams to adjust to the new kickoff rules because there is "no template, really, to look at." "So I think for the first quarter of the season, I think you're gonna see a safer play. And I think you're gonna also see a more exciting play," Payton said. "I think you're gonna see teams that approach it with a return in mind that's different. It's gonna change a little bit of the body types of who might be on that unit, with eight guys deployed in the first 15 yards. So we're discussing it and spending time on it now."

share

0:55

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer

Sean Payton said the Saints will discuss their approach to the NFL's new national anthem policy as a team and that they're fortunate to have great player leadership.

share

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer

Sean Payton said new Saints WR Cameron Meredith is "way ahead of schedule" in his recovery from a major knee injury and will be a factor this year. Meredith participated in position drills only — but he caught the first pass thrown from Drew Brees in a drill against air in the first OTA practice that was open to the media Thursday. ... G Andrus Peat, LB A.J. Klein and DE Alex Okafor were among those who did not participate Thursday after ending last season on I.R. DE Cameron Jordan participated only in individual drills. As expected, RB Mark Ingram was not in attendance.

Arizona and New Orleans are expected to be awarded the 2023 and 2024 Super Bowls, respectively, by a vote of the owners Wednesday.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer

The Saints re-signed veteran offensive lineman Josh LeRibeus, who appeared in all 18 games for them last year as a backup guard and center. He'll face stiffer competition to make the roster this year, since the Saints signed veteran backup Jermon Bushrod, drafted two offensive linemen in Round 3 and like the potential of some other young backups. But the Saints obviously like the experience the 28-year-old brings to the table after he spent his first four seasons with the Redskins.

Drew Brees presented a new prosthetic leg to California prep quarterback Alex Ruiz, who had his lower right leg amputated after a severe knee injury that he suffered on the field last fall.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer

The Saints released veteran LB and former special teams captain Michael Mauti, a New Orleans native who made a remarkable comeback last year after having a series of surgeries to combat his longtime battle with ulcerative colitis. Mauti, 28, spent his first two seasons with the Vikings before spending the past three years with the Saints. New Orleans also added undrafted WR Eldridge Massington from UCLA. And they waived OT John Theus from injured reserve.

It took a leap of faith to abandon a glory position such as wide receiver, but the Saints' first-round draft pick isn't looking back now.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer

Saints players Benjamin Watson and Demario Davis have lent their voices to support a bill in Louisiana that would allow convicted felons on parole or probation to have their voting rights restored after five years. SB Nation published a joint letter that the two veterans sent to lawmakers. Among other arguments, they said that “felon disenfranchisement is part of our country's ugly racist legacy” and "the criminal justice system's goal is to hold people accountable, but it is not to deliver what for some is a lifetime of disenfranchisement.” The players, who have both been very active in social causes, added, “As professional athletes, we are blessed to have a platform that allows us to yield our loud voices for change. We choose to use this platform now to request that you restore the right to vote to those who also live, work, and make change daily in our community.”

share

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer

The Saints signed four players that tried out during rookie minicamp – veteran DT Jay Bromley, veteran OL Michael Ola, undrafted rookie LB KeShun Freeman and undrafted rookie FB Ryan Yurachek. Bromley was a third-round pick of the Giants in 2014. To make room, the Saints released LB Adam Bighill, a former Canadian Football League standout who appeared in three games for them last year. They also released OL Daronte Bouldin and DBs Bradley Sylve and Rickey Jefferson.

share

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer

Saints first-round pick Marcus Davenport — seen here pressuring undrafted rookie QB J.T. Barrett — has been working out of a 3-point stance during rookie minicamp after spending his last two years in college almost exclusively in a 2-point stance. "Right now, it's weirdly easier," said Davenport, who has been practicing it since the Senior Bowl. "And it's just something I have to work at."

share

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer

Sean Payton reiterated that the Saints don't plan to bring in a veteran running back for now, despite Mark Ingram's looming four-game suspension. But he said they would “absolutely” consider bringing back Adrian Peterson if they decided to add a veteran at some point. “This gets back to the notion that we had some type of any argument (on the sideline during Week 1) at Minnesota, which I still say there was none,” Payton said. “I think a ton of him.” In the meantime, Payton said he is eager to get a look at the Saints' young RBs like Boston Scott, Trey Edmunds and Jonathan Williams. Payton said he plans for someone to replace Ingram's touches instead of just overloading Alvin Kamara. “The mistake would be then Alvin gets 15 more carries, and that's not the direction we would expect to go. I don't think that is wise," Payton said.

share

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer

First-round pick Marcus Davenport dons his new No. 92 as the Saints kick off their rookie minicamp Friday. Players will be available to the media on Saturday. (Photo via NewOrleansSaints.com)

share

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer

The Saints have signed six of their seven draft picks, including first-rounder Marcus Davenport, on the eve of this weekend's rookie minicamp. Only third-round pick Tre'Quan Smith remains unsigned, though it should just be a matter of time with rookie deals essentially slotted in. Terms of the deals were not disclosed, but first-round picks get four-year deals with a team option for a fifth year. Later-round picks typically sign four-year deals with no option year.

Saints coach Sean Payton told ESPN that he has spoken with running back Mark Ingram, who is entering the last year of his contract, and doesn't expect Ingram to participate in organized team activities until a mandatory veteran minicamp in June.

Saints running back Mark Ingram "vigorously challenged" his four-game suspension, but the NFL reiterated Wednesday that an arbitrator upheld the ban. Ingram's agents say he did not test positive for PEDs or an illegal substance.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer

Mark Ingram's agents are "vigorously" fighting his suspension ruling. A statement from VIP Sports Management's David Jones: "At the end of the 2017 season, as a result of a NFL mandated random drug test, Mark Ingram tested positive for a substance that was not a performance enhancing substance, nor an illegal substance, but a substance in fact permissible with the proper use exemption with the NFL. He has vigorously challenged the test results through the arbitration process. The arbitrator's Opinion is due on or before Wednesday, May 16. Upon having the opportunity to review the arbitrator's opinion, we will explore what further options are needed."